Of the 12,134 reptile species recorded worldwide, India has 778 species and subspecies. Snakes make up almost half of these reptiles, with 354 species and subspecies.
Snakes are one of the most feared animals. And why shouldn’t they be? In India alone, they lead to more than 50,000 deaths per year.
But are all the snakes in India venomous? The simple answer is no. Only 15% to 17% of Indian snakes are venomous. They don’t bite people unprovoked, but you must still practice caution when encountering one.
In this blog, we learn about some of the most dangerous snakes in India, how their venom affects the body, and what to do if bitten by one.
Table of Contents
How Does Snake Venom Affect the Body?
Snakes are critical for maintaining ecological balance. As predators, they feed on birds, small mammals, amphibians, insects, and rodents, playing a significant role in pest control. As prey, they are part of the diet of predatory birds, canids, and felines.
Their venom helps in subduing their prey and aids digestion. It is also their defense mechanism against predators. Snake venom is of three types:
- 1. Neurotoxic venom: Snakes with neurotoxic venom often have painless bites. It affects the nervous system, causing muscle paralysis, brain damage, and loss of consciousness.
- 2. Hemotoxic venom: Haemotoxicvenom either causes or prevents blood clotting, often resulting in cardiovascular failure, loss of limb, and internal bleeding.
- 3. Cytotoxic venom: Cytotoxic venom affects the body cells, severely damaging the skin and underlying tissue at the site of snakebite. Although it is not as fatal as neurotoxic or hemotoxic venom, it still causes loss of limb function or other lifelong disabilities.
What are the Top 9 Venomous Snakes in India?
There are more than 50 snake species in India that are venomous. Among them, the big four snakes of India, namely Indian cobra, Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper, and common krait, account for most snakebite cases. Below, we discuss the Big Four and other deadly snakes in India.
| Venomous Snakes | Location | Venom Type |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Cobra | Distributed across India, often found in forests, fields, and human lodgings | Neurotoxins |
| Russell’s Viper | Mainland India except northeastern states | Hemotoxins |
| Saw-Scaled Viper | Arid and semi-arid regions | Hemotoxins |
| Common Krait | Peninsular and central India | Neurotoxins |
| King Cobra | Western Ghats, some regions of Eastern Ghats, and northeast states | Neurotoxins and cytotoxins |
| Bamboo-Pit Viper | Southern and northeastern states | Neurotoxins and hemotoxins |
| Monocled Cobra | Northeastern states and parts of West Bengal and Odisha | Neurotoxins |
| Hump-Nosed Pit Viper | Western Ghats | Hemotoxins |
| Banded Krait | Eastern Ghats, parts of Central India, and northeastern states | Neurotoxins |
1. Indian Cobra
Indian cobras, also known as spectacled cobras, belong to the family Elapidae. They are found throughout mainland India except the northeast. They have a hood around their head, which consists of two black dots surrounded by a white outline.
They expand this hood whenever they feel threatened. Indian cobras are usually light brown or black in color. They can grow up to 3 to 5 feet long. During envenomation, they release neurotoxins that damage the person’s nervous system.
2. Russell’s Viper
Russell’s viper is one of the “big four” snakes of India. It is brown with distinctive oval white spots running along its body. When disturbed, it gives off a long, loud hiss. Its hemotoxic venom can damage tissue at the bite site and may also affect the kidneys.
3. Saw Scaled Viper
Saw-scaled vipers live in arid and semi-arid habitats. Their rough, keeled scales make a hissing sound as they rub together. They turn themselves into an “S” shaped fold on sensing a threat.
They are nocturnal beings that hunt for food, including birds, mammals, amphibians, etc., at twilight. They are generally 1 to 3 feet long and can be brown, grey, or orange in color with dark dorsal blotches.
4. Common Krait
The common krait is one of India’s “big four” venomous snakes. It is typically black or bluish with white bands and is commonly found near water. Across India, it is largely found in the central and peninsular regions, especially in paddy fields and near human settlements.
5. King Cobra
King cobras are the world’s largest venomous snakes, typically having a length of 10 to 13 feet. They are mostly found in South and Southeast Asia. In India, their population is concentrated across northeastern states and the Western Ghats.
King cobras are described as a calm species that do not attack until provoked. To deter potential threats, they raise their upper body, spread their hood and emit a loud hissing sound.
6. Bamboo-Pit Viper
Bamboo pit vipers are native to India, located mostly in southern and some eastern states. As the name suggests, they are found in bamboo groves and forests, often near streams. These are nocturnal beings who, although slow, defend themselves with fast strikes.
Their venom is both neurotoxic and hemotoxic. They are usually bright green in color and adorned with black, brown, or reddish spots. In rare cases, their color can be yellow, grey, or purplish brown.
7. Monocled Cobra
Monocled cobras earned their name from the O-shaped monocleate pattern on their hood. They are yellow, brown, grey, or black in color. They envenomate not just through bites but also by spitting venom, which earned them the name “Indian Spitting Cobra”. These are among the snakes found in the national parks of northeastern India.
8. Hump-Nosed Pit Viper
The hump-nosed pit viper is a highly venomous snake found on the southwestern coast of India. It earned its name from its pointed, upward-turned snout that creates a hump. It has a mottled color pattern of grey and heavy brown, with double rows of large black dots.
When threatened, hump-nosed pit vipers often vibrate their yellow- or red-tipped tails as a warning. Their hemotoxic venom can cause serious tissue damage and may lead to kidney failure.
9. Banded Krait
Banded kraits are the largest snakes in the Bungarus genus, reaching up to 2.7 meters in length. These are nocturnal snakes that, although highly venomous, are not particularly aggressive. They have a triangular body with black and yellow colored bands.
They inhabit a variety of landscapes, from dry and moist deciduous forests to tropical scrub and agricultural land. In India, they occur mostly in the central and northeastern states. Their venom can lead to kidney damage as well as respiratory failure.
What to Do if a Snake Bites You?
Snake bites in India result in many fatalities and even long-term health effects. The list we presented consists of some commonly found venomous snakes, but there’s still more out in the wild that may cause you harm. Here’s what to do if a snake bites you or someone close to you:
- 1. Rush to the hospital without delay.
- 2. Move away from the snake and avoid getting bitten again.
- 3. Stay calm and try to slow your breathing. Panicking increases blood circulation, which speeds up the spread of venom.
- 4. Remove tight clothes and jewelry that could hinder swelling.
- 5. Avoid elevating the site of the snakebite above the heart.
- 6. Don’t try to suck out the venom with your mouth. This can do more harm than good.
- 7. Do not apply a tourniquet as it can cause permanent tissue damage.
Finishing Off
As one of the 17 megadiverse countries, India is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna, including snakes. While snakes play a key role in maintaining ecological balance, they also envenomate many people every year, leading to deaths and lifelong disabilities. Staying informed about these venomous creatures and practicing caution go a long way toward ensuring uneventful travel across India.
If you are a nature enthusiast who wants to explore Indian wildlife, we at Jungle Revives make sure your entire tour goes smoothly. We curate personalized itineraries across the best national parks in India, with comfortable stays, expert naturalist-guided safaris, and seamless transfers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the big four snakes in India?
The big four snakes in India consist of the Indian cobra, common krait, Russell’s viper, and saw-scaled viper. Even though there are many poisonous snakes in India, most envenomation incidents involve these four snakes.
Which is the world’s largest venomous snake?
The king cobra is the world’s longest venomous snake, growing up to 13 feet in length and weighing as much as 10 kg. In India, it is found in the Western Ghats, parts of the Eastern Ghats, and the northeastern states.
Are all snakes in India venomous?
No, India has more than 300 species and subspecies of snakes, and only 15% to 17% are venomous.
Which Indian regions have diverse species of snakes?
The Western Ghats and the northeastern states have the highest snake diversity in India.
Should I visit a doctor even after being bitten by a non-venomous snake?
Yes, because many venomous snakes in India can resemble non-venomous ones. Their bite can be painless and not show any symptoms for a few hours. Instead of waiting for severe symptoms to develop, it is better to seek treatment for a snakebite at a hospital.
